Describing himself as frustrated rather than fearful by their results, Sharp said: “The result is the main thing. But if we can play like we have done in the first half in our first two games, and take our chances, we will be fine.

“The way the gaffer sets us up and wants us to play, we should be performing against most teams and get the results we, and the fans, want.”

Sharp and Wilder both agreed it is ridiculous to draw conclusions about a team’s prospects after only 2 per cent of its fixtures have been played. But, such is clamour for promotion at Bramall Lane, they accept defending themselves against knee-jerk reactions is part and parcel of the job.

Billy Sharp says Sheffield United have got some excellent attacking players at their disposal
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“What the gaffer wants us to do is simple, he has made it clear,” Sharp said. “But with the players we’ve got, we’ll start putting away the chances we’re creating for sure.”